Ms Doyle said: “I am delighted to join the Growth Board and welcome the opportunity to work with such a great team of people who all share a passion and drive to help businesses grow and thrive in our region.

“A strong infrastructure of education, training and skills aligned to the needs of industry is crucial if we are to achieve our collective ambitions.”

Ms Doyle is also a board member of the Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, the Queen Elizabeth NHS trust and is a member of the CBI’s regional council.

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Gateshead college has a turnover of £40m and employs more then 600 staff.

Mark Thompson, LEP business growth board chair , said: “Judith’s nationally renowned knowledge of the FE sector and proven experience of managing a large business will prove to be an invaluable asset to our board.

“She is ideally placed to help us support business growth in so many ways, for example inspiring leaders by supporting, advising and peer mentoring business people looking to grow their company.”